Government Energy Policy, Business and Technology

Rick Perry is Donald Trump's choice for energy secretary

CNN: If confirmed by the Senate, Perry will inherit a department that has focused on promoting clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, but has also seen domestic production of oil explode. And his selection is a nod to the traditional GOP emphasis on energy sources like coal and oil. A hallmark of Obama's Energy Department has been the grants and loans it issues for research. The loan program was expanded to include renewable energy projects as part of Obama's economic stimulus package in 2009, and more than $30 billion in loans have been issued since then. These loans have also been a source of controversy. In 2011, Obama administration had to defend its loan to Silicon Valley energy startup Solyndra when it filed for bankruptcy and taxpayers had to foot a $535 million bill. For all its support of green energy, the department has also presided over a massive oil boom. Obama's current energy secretary Ernest Moniz is a longtime supporter of fracking, which he sees as a "bridge" to a low-carbon future. He has lauded increased domestic production of oil and natural gas via the technique.

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